How to Play a "Hex Bard" - College of Sword &, Hexblade Warlock - In Dungeons and Dragons 5e
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- Опубликовано: 6 июл 2024
- MONSTERS OF DRAKKENHEIM is 300+ pages of eldritch horror inspired monsters for 5e by the Dungeon Dudes! Coming to Kickstarter March 26th, 2024: www.kickstarter.com/projects/... We take a look at what the College of Swords Bard gains from grabbing a single level of Hexblade Warlock, resulting in a powerful gish character who has the capabilities of a full spellcaster while also being a prominent threat in combat.
This episode is Sponsored by Fables! Check it out here. ghostfiregaming.com/DungeonDu...
TIME STAMPS
0:00 - Sponsor
0:58 - Intro
2:40 - Why Play a Hex Bard
3:39 - Level 1
7:14 - Race Options
9:05 - Level 2
13:00 - Level 4
18:05 - Level 7
25:45 - Higher Levels
26:01 - Feats
28:37 - Magical Secrets
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Игры
You could say they are a Bladesinger
Yeah I'm not sold on the hexbard
Like... Pure Hex blade is S
Blade singer is S
Hexbard ... B+?
@@antonlowe5370 nah I was just making a joke. Cause hexblade (blade) and bard (a singer) so a blade singer
@@JagIzMoo I love the Joke xD They could truly, make a Mockery of the ones who Learned and Practiced Elven Bladesinging lol
Take paladin spells with your secrets. Play a fake paladin. Lol
Ha. Punny
Roleplaying backstory for a Bard->Warlock : You're a musician that beat the devil at a fiddle contest, and now you have his magic gold fiddle as a reward. The fiddle sounds terrible, is incredibly heavy, and whispers evil things to you at night, but also it can transform into any weapon and shoot lasers, so it's a fair trade.
Top tier comment right here haha
Fix your potato-hand typing and then we can talk.
@Andrew To be fair, my comment references a classic American folk song that in turn references 500 years worth of Faustian legend. This is the same legend that actually inspired the flavor of the Warlock class in Dungeons and Dragons, so in a way, it was the game designers' intent for Warlocks to be played this way. By the way, Monty Python is rich with historical references and satire, and was always intended for adults, not children.
@Andrew How many 12 year olds have even heard of Monty Python.... The comedy for adults.
@Andrew why r u cringe
You could flavor spirit guardians as you blade flourishing so hard that persistent images of you fill the area you were blade dancing in. Maybe that's why your AC hit 30.
a bard so egotistical that the spirits they summon are just themselves again. amazing
I like the idea of just being spirits that look like blades. So it's a upgraded version of sword burst. Or a larger area cloud of daggers.
So basically Vergil's Spiral Swords?
what is this naruto hokage shadow clone jutsu bullshit
@@ericpeterson8732 I was thinking of a cloud of razor sharp musical notes.
You forgot to mention that at 15th level with this build, your blade flurries can now use a D6 instead of the Bardic Inspiration, meaning so long as you land an attack on your turn, you get a permanent +1-6 AC, while being able to hand out your bardic inspiration to whoever whenever you want. Honestly I wish Bards got this earlier then 14th level, but it's worth it once they have it.
Balance is as balance does.
Yes, it's probably the best level 14 Bard ability because it gives the ability to keep using its subclass feature without cutting into your Bardic Inspiration.
@@freman007 i mean, Peerless Skill can be used on Initiative, Counterspell, and Dispel Magic so in a high magic Campaign Lore Bard is pretty insane with their ability to consistently counterspell 9th level spells with 3rd level slots.
But otherwise it is pretty strong
I played this exact build including warcaster/Fay touched feats. I went 2 levels of warlock, so you get 2 pact spells (shield). Just an amazing character. Additionally, as a backstory I had my character “sell his soul for rock and roll” to his patron. One of the all time best characters I have ever played and I started playing in the 70s.
A Bard using Spirit guardians is very clearly just "Shake shake shake, Senora! Shake your body line! Work work work Senora, work it all the time!"
Sword bard for me has always been a top tier gish sub class. I think I’ve always just treated them as damage sponges utilizing a combination of defensive blade flourish and mirror image. So I’m glad that Monty and Kelly are starting to see the value in the sub class. It is crazy to see what 1 level of hexblade can do to dramatically improve the damage out put though.
I played a Hexblade/Swords Bard for a Waterdeep Dragonheist game, and to date it has been the most fun character I've had the pleasure of playing. The versatility and ability to be not only competant but actually good in most aspects of the game felt like I was spoilt for choice both in terms of combat and roleplay opportunities. I urge everyone to give this character a try at least once.
Okay can i ask you a thing? If I'll start a campaign at level 4 (and the master permits me of having my longsword based on charisma) will you still dip 1 level of warlock?
@@edoardopoggio4036 If your GM lets your use Charisma without Hexblade then the level 1 dip probably isn't worth it. I ultimately went 3 levels in Warlock for the Pact of the Blade and Invocations for added flavour, but a straight Swords Bard build would benefit from better spell progression.
2 Things to note with Flourish.
First, you get the bonus 10' movement EVERYTIME you take the attack action on your turn so you would gain 10 taking your normal attack option, another 10' if you use Action Surge and another 10' from the attack option granted from Haste.
Second, when you crit and use your Inspiration die on that attack as defensive Flourish, you get the same amount added to your AC that you added to your damage. Yes, double dice. AC 35+ with Shield spell...yes please.
One of my favorite Magic Secrets for Bards is Find Greater Steed from the Paladin List. Having a Griffin that you can spell share with can be a great companion.
I played this, combo this with greater invisibility and you are unstoppable.
I love the way these characters have been imagined and it's great to see the excitement on your faces when you're talking about the ways these characters can progress and attack or aid others. Have you guys ever considered doing a write-up of these characters to give players the opportunity to more easily recreate these character concepts?
Warcaster opportunity spell bait: Raulothim's Psychic Lance.
Super thematic and useful: Steel Wind Strike. It's force damage plus movement. It really should have been on a special spell list for Bards but it's a Magical Secrets bait.
It's on the Bard list.
Literally just looking at this!
Steel wind strike looks amazing, but I don't know if it's more useful than counterspell
OMG I played this build to level 9 a year ago and I loved it. Idle Eric the Pretty Good Minstrel. Spirit guardians is a great idea for magical secrets. The character was capable of doing everything in the game reasonably well. You made a good list but failed to mention subterfuge and battlefield control in addition to tank blaster frontlines ranged and face. Such a fun build to play.
Idle Eric. Eric Idle. I see you.
Currently building a tiefling hex blade/swords bard! He is inspired by Romeo, if he learned the fate he and Juliet would suffer and chose to flee in order to protect her life. Also he has a sword that is ancient family heirloom and is, of course, cursed lol. He casts his magic by speaking poetic words and evocative descriptions of what he desires to happen in battle. The sword answers these desires and speaks its own through his dreams/nightmares. It’s sole purpose since it’s creation has been to slaughter the rival house, which this character is actively avoiding😂
I love the sock monkey sweater!
Lol! It’s from Roots, a Canadian store. These guys should get a sponsorship from them with the number of Roots sweaters I’ve seen on here
I am playing a Dhampir hex blade warlock/Swords Bard, with the noble background. I am having so much fun with her! I picked the mobile feat. So 45 feet och movement + permanent spider climb and no opportunity attacks if I have attacked + extra 10 feet of movement from the swords bard is just amazing. My favorite trick is hitting someone with booming blade and then moving away, so they have to move to attack me.
And if I somehow still can't reach the target, we do have that eldritch blast. One of my favorite builds ever, honestly.
Did your DM let you use your teeth as a spellcasting focus?
@@StriderZessei I never asked actually... I always had my sword :/
I suggested this build for one of my players and she loves it. Thanks so much!
This is honestly the best D&D channel on YT. I have gotten so many character ideas from the videos you two make.
A Sword Bard Tiefling was my first character. I was so shocked when I discovered how much I got from a single level dip into Warlock, they really have so much to offer to any team. It was amazing learning little tricks on my own (Heat Metal is so powerful), but I never considered Shield, BB, or Warcaster!
I honestly was skeptical when I saw the title but I did some playing on DnD Beyond and...it's a really workable and pretty versatile character without feeling like you're min/maxing since you have so much variety with your bard spells. It's one of the few classes (and multi-classes) that really can be pretty jack of all trades without sacrificing mechanical efficiency.
Hells, yeah! Been playing this multi class combo for years. So much fun! Truly embodies jack of all trades - bit of spells, bit of melee, bit of support. For RP, I play a stage-fighter/storyteller with Int as a dump stat - so most of his stories are implausible or never happened.
Can i ask you something?i am starting a campaign at level 4, and my master permits me having my longsword based on charisma and not strength. Will you still use Hexblade dip or go straight swords Bard?
Sweet - this would also make a respectable Mage Slayer if you pick up the Silence spell, & use magical secrets for spells like, counterspell, darkness. Add feats like MAge Slayer & Metamagic adept with subtle & quickened spell. Speaking of which - what about a series of Mage Slayer build video's from you guys - there's so many great options, Ranger Monster Slayer, Shadow Monk as well as more traditional builds like Paladins or Barbarians - this could be really interestesting & there's so many different posibilities for it.
That's why I like my wizard's to take metamagic adept and have one of the metas be _Subtle spell_ (and the other quickened), to prevent being shut down by a silence spell.
It also opens up options for casting in social situations.
For me personally, once I hit 7th level bard and pick up greater invisibility, I'd hit up 3 or 4 swashbuckler rogue levels myself. Higher initiative, the better half of the mobile feat, some sneaky damage (and the ability to deliver it frequently), plus a couple of rogue goodies. I think that'd be a blast.
Giving up those high level Bard spells would hurt
@@logancuster8035 True but, most games don't go past 7-12 anyways so the expertise, bonus initiative, cunning action, extra damage, possibly uncanny dodge if you go 5 levels in rogue but the 3 level dip is fairly good even though you give up spell levels.
@@logancuster8035 very true! I like the duelist side of this build a bit more than the spellcasting side personally, hence my decision. But you really can't go wrong either way with this build!
In which case being elf/half elf and getting elven accuracy seems really strong.
TCoE adds mirror image to the bard spell list. Take the sentinel feat combined with rakish audacity and you've got a somewhat reliable way to sneak attack twice per round (assuming someone tries to hit you).
I’ve played around with an idea about the Hex Bard with two weapon fighting: Make sure your Hex Weapon is a short sword, scimitar, Dagger, or hand axe. Then pick Pact of the Tome and get the Shillelagh cantrip (use a club). Now you can Dual Wield using your Charisma.
Holy smokes, I totally forgot club is a light weapon
Wait, can't you dual wield using your charsima anyway if you go pact of the blade and summon a weapon with that?
@@lukasosterloher9105 nope. Pact of the Blade just forms a stronger bond with a weapon. Unless you’re a Hexblade you still use your Strength or Dexterity
@@TBoring unless you go hexblade you can’t have the first charisma weapon…
@@TBoring I mean if you are a Hexblade. Can't you use your normal Pact weapon and summon a second weapon with pact of the blade? Or would that make your initial pact weapon disappear?
You sold your soup for the Blues. Classic Warlock/Bard backstory. I love Changeling for the race. Any charisma fuelled character can cause utter chaos if they can change their face for free.
I like to imagine because the hex blade uses charisma attack they don’t actually wield their sword, that it magically moves on its own. So I picture a mysterious person in a mask walks into town. They are cornered by thugs, but instead of reaching for their sword and shield they lift a flute to their lips. As they play the shield lifts to a defensive position and the sword slowly slides from the sheath. The battle is on and the thugs have made a terrible decision.
Bad Guy: ...why do I hear boss music?
Wait, that's Scaramouche from Samurai Jack
That’s bloody Yondu
some of the best magical secrets out there are: banishiment smite, find greater steed, spirit guardians and spiritual weapon.
Also Steel Wind Strike
@@MadnessOpus or, as i call it, the otaku strike.
If you’re going to go with Fey touched I would strongly recommend (if EGWM content is allowed in your game) that you take gift of alacrity, as the increase to your own initiative or a party members initiative Will allow you to make your spellcasting more effective as it will go off earlier in combat.
This came out at a perfect time. Just about the start a campaign as a Hexblade Warlock, who is from a circus troupe. Already got the Entertainer background so going to have a real think on making this pivot. Great vid.
I played a version of this build in a short campaign and it was quite effective. Definitely recommend inspiring leader for added tankiness as well as the highly underrated defensive duelist feat.
the timing of this video is simply PERFECT couse i was building one testerday for my homegame
Nice that you guys got the jump on Treantmonk on this one! He added a tweak or two to his version, but this is great. Love the sense of community.
I am playing a Hex blade lore bard right now and loving it. The nice thing about this build is you pick up spirit guardians 4 levels sooner.
but you don't get extra attack or blade flourishes or fighting style...
@@silverjaiden2450 But Eldritch blast is just as good as extra attack, Blade flourishes are alright but compared to what a lore bard can bring to the table is better.. fighting style is meh depending on what you are focusing on
@@wickeddrac7489 but he’s playing melee. So he won’t be using eldritch blast. Or at least that’s what I assumed. Spirit guardians isn’t that useful from the range of eldritch blast. So extra attack, and a fighting style helps a lot more in melee. Especially armor of agathys. Unless he is playing ranged lore bard is inferior by a lot. But if he is playing ranged then the comparison is irrelevant
@@silverjaiden2450 It depends on your play style. Taking Grasp of Hadar makes you a hit-and-run caster which is kind of interesting:
move up to 25ft of the enemies, pull them into Spirit Guardians using GoH+EB triggering the extra damage then backing away and goading them into chasing you and taking more Spirit Guardian damage.
@@agilemind6241 but again. This isn't relevant bc it's not a melee style character. Swords vs Lore isn't the point. It's what's the best Melee build for bard.
Yesss, I just started playing this build last week. Perfect timing guys!
I started using a Swords Bard a couple of months ago, and I’m loving it. The do it all. Lots of fun to play this subclass, even without the hex dip on mine.
Im currently playing a this build as a dragonborn in Tomb of Annihilaton. It is super strong in every situation. Exploration, social encounter, dungeon delving, combat, you name it. I took Dragonborn to mix blade flourish and the new breath. You can use a breath on your first attack (like the prone or incapaciting breath) and get massive bonus for your next blade flourish.
I’m currently playing my first multi-class character and this build just called to me! I’m a Yuan-Ti and following this build closely. We just leveled up to 4 so now the character is really going to open up! Great video!
Playing a tabaxi hexbard in the dungeon of the mad mage. We just dropped down into level 2. Having a good time with him. Took mobile. Add in having a climb speed. I'm dancing around in combat having a great time.
I played this build in a campaign a couple years ago. One of my favorite characters I've ever played. She was the group's only full spellcaster (Rest of the group was a Paladin, Blademaster, Arcane Archer and Rogue) so she was tasked with being the primary controller, primary healer, and primary utility caster in the group. She could do it all with room to spare.
I didn't take Hex or Spirit Guardians, but did consider them. I did take Wind Walk, which wasn't mentioned in the video, but is a great multi-purpose spell. One of the feats I took which wasn't mentioned in the video was Resilient (CON). While I was able to pump my AC in exactly the way described in the video, things like AOEs that require saving throws still made Concentration a bit dicey, plus my CON was an odd number, so it gave me 1 HP per level.
Another (situational) benefit of this build is that it qualifies you for some magic items which are Sorcerer/Warlock/Wizard only, such as the Staff of Power, which, in addition to being able to cast a ton of amazing spells with charges, is also a +2 Quarterstaff, which is versatile and thus can be wielded one-handed with the Duelist fighting style.
Gonna be real here, this is the most dapper I’ve seen the Dude’s, and I LOVE IT
This is so timely, its unbelievable! I've actually started this exact character like 1 month ago. We're still level 3 (lv 2 bard/lv 1 hexblade)... I went custom lineage and got fey touched to start with 18 char. Then I took bless as the fey touched lv 1 spell, but I might talk to my DM about changing it for hex (I took armor of agathys and shield as warlock): there is something about using hex and vicious mockery in a first round of combat that really makes sense RP-wise: you humiliate your target so bad in a prep round that he looses stength (disadvantage hex), looses concentration (disadvantage attacks from VM), takes psychic damage (VM) and becomes more prone to injury from your attacks (hex). They dont stack, but this is great flavouring... I've actually started bard because of the backstory I came up with. And I plan to be really strong in social interactions and manipulation, so I'm taking some spells like charm person and plan on taking metamagical adept for subtle spell at some point (also quicken spell is handy for combat). And because of the great mobility, I'm considering taking ashardalon stride as one of my MS, just running the battle ground when there are several enemies and dishing out strikes + fire damage.
You dudes are really great. I've been enjoying your expertise and approach a lot recently. Thank you! :)
Amazing I found this, because I’m fairly sure this is probably going to be the concept behind my next character actually!
I think an incredible contender for race for this character is the new Shadar-Kai from Monsters of the Multiverse. Getting a number of misty steps per day equal to your proficiency modifier, as well as getting resistance to ALL DAMAGE after using it for your next turn, which goes extremely well with the armor of agathys trick, is so incredibly strong. The fact that you count as an elf for the prerequisites of feats, so you can pick up elven accuracy, is just the icing on the cake. Not even mentioning how good being able to trance is, advantage on saving throws against charms to counteract a warlock's bad wisdom save (they have proficiency in wisdom saves, but wisdom is usually a warlock dump stat), and two free tool proficiencies you can swap out on long rest means you can fill even more utility holes.
Even better, shadar Kai teleport isn't a spell. Teleport in and then fireball
As for 2nd level spell, if you have a decently lenient DM they might let you use heat metal as essentially a smite
I was allowed to do this because of a very specifically designed weapon, and it was awesome!
I really like the idea of a hex blade and a whisper bard, while maybe not as good, the rp opportunity really makes this a fun idea that focuses more on damage compared to defensive set up
Totally inspired to give this one a go in a new campaign. Never played a Bard or a Warlock, so excited to see how it plays out.
This is a really cool sub-class both in the feel and power. Well done, dudes!
Using dissonant whispers as an action and booming blade as a reaction is actually such a hype combo
As per rules as written the damage of booming blade only triggers, if the target is moving WILLINGLY. Dissonant whispers FORCES the target to use it's reaction to move so you only get the additional damage of the initial hit.
@@TaliasLight actually it does, but the enemy uses its reaction to move, instead of other stuff where for example they get pushed. A telekinetic shove would not trigger an op attack.
Thank you for making these videos, Dudes :D Good stuff!
I played a Hex Bard in a campaign last year. It was super fun, and basically built the way y'all recommend (though I did make him a satyr).
Ive aaaalways, aaaaaaalways wanted to play a hexbard. My backstory idea was that of a failed musician that just doesn't have enough talent to make it finds a "cursed flute" someday. A real big chonker of a flute. He plays it and summons a demon to make a pact with, his soul or whatever for musical talent. The flute itself is the sheath for a blade, his pactblade basically. So lvl 1 lock 19lvls swordsbard.
I’m very excited you made this guide, I basically made this exact character as a Tabaxi!
If you’ve played FF14 this character is basically a red mage and works really well in game.
I only got to level 8 total before the game ended but I was able to help in every situation and survivability was key in Curse of Strahd!
Awesome work with the videos guys, glad other people have realised this build’s potential
Puss In Boots
Favorite build I've heard of in awhile.
I'm just seeing a cursed circus bard roaming the country side with the party to find the ones that killed their traveling group. Kind of like Moley from CR season 2
Aw man, I've been waiting for this since you did the Bard video! Can't believe you actually did it!
Also- I was thinking "Tabaxi, TABAXI!" when you did the race choices, glad you gave it the honourable mention!
Spells wise, I like Hellish Rebuke over Hex as a dualist. The ability to either defend yourself OR deal damage to an enemy is great in a duel.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who was thinking Tabaxi in my head the whole time they were talking about races!
This was quite interesting! I've been putting off playing a Bard for some time, but this video just reminded me of why I love D&D; be who you want to be! Thanks for the inspiration.
On a completely different note; I feel that if WotC doesn't release new things for you to review and come up with the best 'Gish', you'll run out of content. But hear me out!! You both could maybe take a look at some of the more famous homebrew classes/sub-classes out there and give them a rating of 'Would we use it?' to 'Never again!'.
A good one I personally like is LaserLlama and his Alternate work on the base classes; Monk, Artificer, and Fighter to name a few. Just a suggestion from a fan. :)
Honestly, the way Swords Bard is, it can technically get a Buff with an Errata for it's Extra Attack. Make the same as Bladesingers. Mainly because well... one, Bards are a Jack of All Trades, their Magical Secrete in theory can help RP the knowledge of knowing this "Elven Art" into their Fighting and just even in that same RP Context, mock them so hard xD It might push the Swords Bard over, along if it had some extra Flourish Options (or added more Bardic Inspiration Dice as a Buff).
But that's just my opinion on a potential Fix for Extra Attack/Ideas to buff in general.
Kelly, I'm digging the Sock Monkey sweater! Interesting build as well. Great way to use a fun, yet tricky subclass. I'd consider taking a second level in hexblade for another spell known, another pact magic slot (double the hex or shield spells/short rest) and two invocations (so many fun options, double the benefits of eldritch adept). I think its worth delaying the bard stuff 1 more level and losing the last Magical secrets, but I admit it is a trade-off. Adding swashbuckler rogue levels after your first magical secrets may be a solid idea if you want to lean into the charismatic gish further at the expense of spellcasting, but that might be too many multiclasses for some tables/players. Finally, I might suggest Lucky or Resilient to patch up those saving throws, which is definitely the Achilles heel of this character. If the bad guys can't hit you with attacks, spells will be the first thing they try.
Really loving these "How to Play A _____" videos, keep them coming and keep up the great work!
This is a super cool idea, my only difference is I would personally go with Bard first, more instruments, another skill, and dex saving throws. While wisdom might be rough, int is also rough to fail too, so no need to worry there. And I'd say just hope you roll well, if so inclined.
Love this video!
I also like scaleed races for bards. The charming but deadly yuan ti, or the sophisticated and regal gem dragonborn
Am in love with this build/dip. I took two levels in hexblade for agonizing blast for a very specific reason. The one window this build will fall behind in DPS performance a bit is the 5-7 gap where the other martial classes start using multi attack. Eldritch blast "solves" that by splitting to 2 bolts at level 5. D10 +5 is comparable to most melee attacks. Kinda boring to spend 3 levels pew pewing from behind a shield, but it gets you through that window effectively.
Huge fan of loading up as many (b) and (r) spells as possible for this build, so snagging hex, shield, and hellish rebuke as my warlock level 1 spells fits like a glove.
I have a 2 level fighter dip valor bard at level 15, but I think I like the way this Hexblade swords bard is turning out a bit more. Have also contemplated a life domain cleric or paladin dip. Both would be amazing, but the hexblade version is the only one that "solves" the ranged cantrip and level 5-7 DPS drop off issues.
College of Swords is the solution to the problem of keeping a squishy low-level Wizard alive long enough to be a powerful high-level Wizard. Two levels of Bladesinger, three in Swords Bard, back to Wizard the rest of the way. Add INT to AC at Level-2, can defend himself at low-level with the additional weapon & (light) armor proficiencies, multi-classing two full-casters doesn’t cost you spell slots, 17 levels of Wizard still gets you your 9th-level spell, and Bards don’t have to prepare spells, so you end up with more spells at-the-ready to cast than by going straight Wizard. They’re not even really “disparate abilities.” He’s singing for his supper the whole way through.
Blade singers are practically immortal already
OH SNAP, 1st viewer! As an OG D&D player of over 30 years, I love the work you guys put out.
Absolutely love the sweater!
Just played an 11th level Sword Bard/Hex Dip. Picked Find Greater Steed and Steel Wind Strike (which I combined with Greater Invisibility). And picked the new hobgoblin for the race. Since I was using the bardic inspiration dice for sword flourishes, I used the hobgoblin Fey Gift for my bonus action (usually did the temp HP choice). Worked out great.
awesome build, definitely something I'd love to play!
After watching your subclass videos, I had an idea for a Swords Bard/Swashbuckler Rogue. I think there's some synergy between the subclass features. I would love to see y'all's take on it.
Coming back to the game after a 30 year absence and y'all are helping a lot.
Keep on keepin' on, gents!
Holy Bahamut... I'm actually tempted to play a bard for once. I love it!
Dudes!!! This is a great build and idea to make a video for! Thanks you
I am actually playing that combo right now in Rime of the Frostmaiden. It's...a terrifyingly good build
Nice, I wanted my first time using Hex Warrior to not be a Witch Knight or Darkness crit fishing build. Will definitely ponder on this some more.
I have been playing this combo in a spelljammer campaign. So much fun. The eldritch knight and I take big advantage of the dissonant whispers booming blade combo
Really enjoy this concept
I've been playing a swords Bard up to level 10 now and love it! I might add a level dip into warlock though considering this video. The Blade Flourish - Defensive Flourish is AMAZING, especially if you are jumping up in between the baddies to give another friend advantage. It can be incredibly frustrating (to the DM) when my high DEX Bard rolls a 6+ to add to their AC and there's a 26 to hit Bard taunting everyone to hit them.
If you are looking for inspirations for a sword-wielding bard, you can’t do better than Cyrano de Bergerac. He’s a poet, a romantic, and a feared warrior.
As well as Link from many of the Zelda games
Amazing.
This was my first D&D character.
I did it with 1 level as Bard, then 1 level as Hexblade, then the rest as Bard.
Although not strictly on topic, the Azorius Functionary background is great for Clerics because it gives them Counterspell.
Very nice guys, after you talked so bad about the swords bard in your bard Tier List I tried this combination of an Hexbard in my last campaign a year ago and it was an absolute blast to play.
I went with 3 level Hexblade for the pact (since it added so much RP flavour on top) and the Character was a blast to play, having shield spell + the flourish + fighting in medium armor and a shield made me end up often as the tank in some situations while in others I protected the backline and used my eldritch blasts, healing words and bardic inspiration on the party. I felt really like a jack of all trades. Looking really forward to continuing this character in another campaign.
33:15 I feel if your taking Tenser's Transformation then you should also get find greater steed so that when you cast the transformation on yourself your mount is also affected and becomes a greatsword wielding powerhouse of its own right, and I mean, a bard with a sword and board flying around on a sword swinging griffins back. This way you also have transportation and flight covered for no cost
......That's awesome
My personal version of this is adding in 2 levels of paladin for the high level spell slot smite and another +1 AC and going for haste (more damage and another +2 AC) via magical secrets or the Strixhaven background. You could also get spiritual weapon to weaponise your bonus action after the setup round (edit: wrote this before you said it yourself). The AC gets ridiculous at higher levels.
I'm glad I'm not the only one to have had this idea
It really is amazing what a few levels in Hexblade can do. I'm currently playing a fairy swashbuckler rogue with a 2 level dip in Hexblade and there's a lot of overlap with what you guys have mentioned. With Armor of Shadows & shield proficiency my AC is 18, plus I picked up the shield spell. Add uncanny doge & evasion to that and I'm practically unhittable. Also casting booming blade for my action, then disengaging for my bonus action and flying 30 ft away, and if whatever I hit moves it takes extra damage. Now I'm considering taking Warcaster so I can cast booming blade as an opportunity attack. What a great idea!
Now do this with the whispers bard and the Poisoner feat and understand why people didn't agree with its rank.
Wait wait wait. Back when you rated the Bards colleges and but the Swords Bard way low I commented exactly on how putting a few Warlock levels, like I did, made for an awesome Bard! And I know you didn't take in account multiclassing, buuut, you replied by saying that even like that the Swords Bard came up short. Well, I was the only one coming back alive from Barovia and the one who went head to head with Strahd himself. Oh, that sweet sweet Booming Blade and the Crowd Control with the Blasts and the extra AC... Anyway, rant aside, I'm so glad you came around. I know it shouldn't matter but in the D&D world is good to know someone who can kinda feel or at least validate somewhat your takes on some of this stuff. I'm just glad you see the light now :3
Edit: I haven't seen the video at the moment of my comment, so I don't know if I'm just jumping ahead on what I said. I'm just happy that you made this video. Just by the tittle alone you made my day 😁
We’ve really come around on the swords bard. It may not be the best bard, but it’s an awesome subclass and it gains an insane amount from warlock …. Sometimes even we learn new things.
I've been using this build forever and it's my favorite. I only like to go 18 lvls of bard though. I usually put 1 lvl in cleric as well
I made this exact build back in 2019 when I first started playing D&D again. If I were to do it again I would take fey touched instead of elven accuracy. Other than that it was my favorite multi class build. Simple and functional.
Im going to be playing this character in one shot this weekend, it's going to be fun
I haven't tried this build but a 2 lvl warlock dip for my eloquence bard for mask of many faces and eldritch mind has been my favorite character so far
Dissonant whispers forces the combatant to flee. One of the requirements to take the damage for booming blade is they move away freely, so RAW it wouldn’t work. But it’s niche so I’d allow it.
No the condition on booming blade is moving using their move speed and dissonant whispers make them use their move speed
It's true that it works, and because they expend their reaction to do it, they're not "moved" like a Thunderwave spell.
guys, can we get a barbarian video? it's the only class you haven't covered yet in this "how to play" series.
One of my favorite characters I built for a friend is a Rogue 9 (Swashbuckler) Hexblade 1, College of Swords bard 10. She played in a 1 shot and said that she loved it.
(before even waiching the video) This video couldn't be more timely. I have been interested in creating a Hexblade Swords Bard for a long time but was having trouble how it would work out in roleplay. Looking forward to seeing what you guys have to say about this combo. :)
My favorite reason for a bard and warlock multi class is the ol’ “sold my soul for Rock n Roll”
@@PumaPants248 nah. Besides, i see my bards not as musicians but as a performer. My lore bard is one that tells legnedary stories of yore, my valor bard is combat cheerleader, and my swords bard is a dancers who dances with swords.
@@OpenWorldAddict0 everybody plays dnd differently, their playstyle is just as valid as yours
One of the best multiclass builds I have ever seen.
Charisma caster multiclasses just work so well together.
Damn it I'm convinced 😂
I always liked the sword bard, but that really cranked it up
In One D&D, a new feat let's you take the Pact of the Blade as an invocation, meaning you can now start as a Bard from the get-go, take the Arcane Spell list, and not be delayed at all in your leveling and spell progression.
Really excited to try this with an Aasimar.
I've been playing this kind of character for the last year and a bit and I'm really enjoying it. Nowhere close to Magical Secrets yet but Spirit Guardians was an option I hadn't considered. I was thinking of Holy Weapon at first but, given how powerful SG is now that you've explained this, I think that sounds like a better option. (The only other Magical Secret I've been considering is Find Greater Steed, which is purely because I think it would be cute to give my little tiefling dork a flying pony.)
I really enjoy these multi classing builds. What I can't seem to find anywhere though, is a build guide for multi classing the Circle of Spores Druid and the Swarmkeeper Ranger. I think this is a really flavourful character but I can't work out how to build it optimally.
Great video! Playing one now because of this one, back for another view to see if I missed anything over the last 5 levels.
Custom Lineage (declawed Tabaxi) that styles himself as an Oath of the People Paladin. I skipped Shield spell since he never has empty hands for it, I'll grab it back with a 2nd level of Warlock IF I find some weapon that needs me to put away my shield. Rolling with a Whip since most of the damage is coming off Abilities, Curse, Flourishes, and Cantrips.
Thank you for your information video
I'd love to see a video on team synergy "moves" like pairing options for team work in combat. I think you did something similar before but some examples would be great